On the other hand, if I know exactly what I want and can afford it, I have already bought or ordered it. Probably the question is whether gifts change what you

On the other hand, if I know exactly what I want and can afford it, I have already bought or ordered it. Probably the question is whether gifts change what you can afford - for example, it does so for kids, but doesn't do so for a median middle-age person where a random gain or loss of e.g. a day's wages does not (or should not) change your behavior but only slightly change the current balance of your pool of savings or debt. So from that perspective, decent gifts are exactly those that you would like to have but in an ordinary situation would not buy; like something that's nice instead of the "best price/performance" option that you might buy otherwise if you'd have the cash, something a bit extraordinary (even if it's a small thing) for the celebration.